Calling all engineers

Originally Posted by sarah

omg, why is everyone arguing???

surely everyone agrees that the term engineer is rubbish and misleading!

I have no opinion of the term, especially as I'm not formally qualified in anything beyond A-Levels. I just disagree strongly that I simply can't do my job, because I haven't been to get a degree.

Originally Posted by rictus01

Just to throw in another spanner


• noun 1 a professional person. 2 a person having impressive competence in a particular activity.

The English language is great isn't it An electric fence can be live, but you live.

[timwilky]

As somebody who has always classed themselves as an engineer, I have been watching this thread with interest.

To my mind, the difference between an engineer and technician can become very blurd. However, my definition of an engineer is somebody with a high level of knowledge in a subject. Who is accountable for function and form.

I know of several chief engineers of PLCs who do not have degrees, they sit on Britsh and european standards boards. Qualification is more important these days than it used to be. but more important is the post qualification training.

Accountability is important. Whilst a technician may well be an important member of a development team, ie testing design or structure etc. The engineer is the person responsible for the function and form to meet a purpose. It is he who may well end up in court as a result of a failure.

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by Baph

The English language is great isn't it An electric fence can be live, but you live.

Always gets them going

Cheers Mark.

Originally Posted by Baph

I just disagree strongly that I simply can't do my job, because I haven't been to get a degree.

If you think that's what I was implying you've not read what I've writen properly.

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by timwilky

As somebody who has always classed themselves as an engineer, I have been watching this thread with interest.

To my mind, the difference between an engineer and technician can become very blurd. However, my definition of an engineer is somebody with a high level of knowledge in a subject. Who is accountable for function and form.

I know of several chief engineers of PLCs who do not have degrees, they sit on Britsh and european standards boards. Qualification is more important these days than it used to be. but more important is the post qualification training.

Accountability is important. Whilst a technician may well be an important member of a development team, ie testing design or structure etc. The engineer is the person responsible for the function and form to meet a purpose. It is he who may well end up in court as a result of a failure.

I like that

Cheers Mark.

Originally Posted by rictus01

Always gets them going

Cheers Mark.

Alas, I think I've found my .org soulmate, someone that understands a good lexical argument Keep up the good work Mark

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

If you think that's what I was implying you've not read what I've writen properly.

Good come back, keep it up

Its a pity that these companies expect so much nowadays, the people getting placements on my course are the ones who have the best academic record- but thats such a bad indication of how well they can work. Most of these guys getting high 1sts can't hold a conversation never mind work with someone, however the pressure to fill your CV just keeps increasing. Enthusiasm for both your work and life should be far more important. I've been told theres an average of one placement handed out per 90 companies written to.

As for engineering status, its a professional qualification like a (medical) Doctor so easy to define. To 'engineer' something means to design it for its purpose, not to operate it or to repair it. In Europe an engineer is called 'Engineer Homer Simpson' like a doctor would be called 'Dr Homer Simpson'. Its much more recognised and respected than over here. I often get asked if i'm corgi registered! The degree is a crucial part of it, as it teaches you all the fundamentals. I can fix a computer but wouldn't call myself qualified to do so.

The optimist - the glass is half full
The pessimist - the glass is half empty
The engineer - the glass is twice as big as it needs to be

Originally Posted by Baph

Alas, I think I've found my .org soulmate, someone that understands a good lexical argument Keep up the good work Mark


Good come back, keep it up

don't get me started with semantics (please).

Well, g2d looks like you will have to settle for distance learning, the bods are still debating their identity!

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

Its a pity that these companies expect so much nowadays, the people getting placements on my course are the ones who have the best academic record- but thats such a bad indication of how well they can work. Most of these guys getting high 1sts can't hold a conversation never mind work with someone, however the pressure to fill your CV just keeps increasing. Enthusiasm for both your work and life should be far more important. I've been told theres an average of one placement handed out per 90 companies written to.

As for engineering status, its a professional qualification like a (medical) Doctor so easy to define. To 'engineer' something means to design it for its purpose, not to operate it or to repair it. In Europe an engineer is called 'Engineer Homer Simpson' like a doctor would be called 'Dr Homer Simpson'. Its much more recognised and respected than over here. I often get asked if i'm corgi registered! The degree is a crucial part of it, as it teaches you all the fundamentals. I can fix a computer but wouldn't call myself qualified to do so.

The optimist - the glass is half full
The pessimist - the glass is half empty
The engineer - the glass is twice as big as it needs to be